Seattle Seahawks coach Pete Carroll says his team doesn’t have any major needs. I saw enough of his team last Sunday not to argue.

The Broncos, who looked pretty good going into the Super Bowl, only have three major needs, in my estimation: middle linebacker, cornerback, safety.

Maybe not in that order since middle linebacker is not a three-down position. But the Broncos need another one — unless they think Nate Irving is ready to handle the position. They gave him a shot at winning the job last year, and he wound up on the outside.

Wesley Woodyard started the season at the Mike position, but John Fox and Jack Del Rio came to find out it was not a good fit. Woodyard is a very good weakside linebacker.

Paris Lenon did a nice job as a stopgap, but he is 36 and a free agent. Problem here is the draft is thin with inside linebackers, and the Broncos don’t pick until No. 31.

At cornerback, the Broncos have Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie — who Friday will have his contract with the team voided to officially become a free agent — Champ Bailey, who will turn 36 in June and has a $1 million roster bonus due in March, followed by a $9 million salary; and Chris Harris, who is coming off ACL surgery.

At safety, the Broncos simply have to get better. There are two very good safeties available in free agnecy: Jairus Byrd and T.J. Ward

On offense, if the Broncos don’t bring back Knowshon Moreno — they are unlikely to meet his early estimated market value of $4 million a year — they could use a veteran running back from free agency to complement their young and unproven tailback stable that includes Montee Ball, C.J. Anderson and Ronnie Hillman.

They need a DE as well to compliment Phillips if they resign him, which I would imagine they are. Safety, yes, CB, please. And they need to resign DRC, but he showed that he is back and could cost a few dollars. I just hope they get really faster and stronger on defense, and they need to get another left guard or move Clark to LG when Clady comes back.

LouieLouie

What they need is to play in the NFC west to get toughened up. The AFC is the little brother to the NFC right now so the Broncs will be relevant only in that conference. Might make it back to the big dance next year but I’m afraid a win isn’t likely. We’ll see how good Denver is next season when they play all the NFC west teams during the regular season.

Tbone5000

DRC… Doesn’t want to return. That tells you something about this teams philosophy. No defensive player want to be on a passive team.

Strange no one is mentioning our need for a punishing running back, an every down I’m going to explode for a touch down threat and bruise you in the process. This becomes more critical now than ever before after folks have seen how to beat our offense. Someone has to take pressure off of Manning and keep defenses honest. I love Knowshon’s attitude, and Ball’s eight yard carries when he gets to stay in long enough to catch a grove, but neither man puts the fear of God in a defense. Yes they play their roles well in our offense – but that’s just the point – time to add a new wrinkle. I also believe this could lead to a tougher minded offensive line and a “we can hit too” attitude for the offense as a whole. The challenge will be how to integrate. I know this won’t necessarily be easy, but I believe Coach Gase and Manning could make this work. Now if they can find the right back who can also catch – well folks we just might have a chance to go back to the Bowl and win! That’s assuming we also build the defense up as well with the recommendations folks have already made.

boo radical

How about a new Bronco’s Writer? The “Seahawks did not beat the Bronco’s “A” team…” article was a joke.

hmaurice

A complete overhaul of the defense toward something that resembles the defense of the Seattle Seahawks!

Kenneth Schoonover

The Broncos’ biggest defensive need is middle LB since Wes Woodyard isn’t coming back. And of course Denver will need a CB to replace Champ. Plus, I think the O-line is a concern. With Zane Beadles going to Jacksonville, I think Chris Clark, who replaced Pro Bowl OT Ryan Clady when Clady got hurt, can contribute at guard. But Denver still needs fresh bodies at both OT and OG. Peyton turns 38 this year and needs lots of protection.

Mike Klis has been with The Denver Post since 1998, after working 13 years with the Colorado Springs Gazette Telegraph. Major League Baseball was Klis' initial passion. He started covering the Colorado Rockies after Coors Field was approved for construction in August 1990.

Nicki Jhabvala is the Sports Digital News Editor for The Denver Post. Before arriving in Denver, she spent five years at Sports Illustrated working primarily as its online NBA editor, and she was most recently the overnight home page editor at the New York Times. She has reported regularly on the Broncos since joining the staff.

A published author and award-winning journalist, Benjamin Hochman is a sports columnist for The Denver Post. He previously worked on the staff of the New Orleans Times-Picayune, winners of two Pulitzer Prizes for their Hurricane Katrina coverage.